On Saturday afternoon,
I was stretching and crawling and searching and escaping and reaching and
embracing and sliding all over a clean Brooklyn apartment floor in my jeans and
a tank top with my hair long and loose while being photographed and
videotaped.It felt so free and fun in
that creative way like when handed a big lump of clay to mold any way one
wants.I’m not trying to imply I have
that kind of flexibility, but it was that free.Unlike posing for the actual drawing, I didn’t need to hold any position
for more than a second or two.So the
choices were many.The artist told me to
make shapes and do whatever I wanted.She would not direct.With
clothes on, all kinds of leg lifting felt comfortable.It reminded me of the safe comfort of being
in those flannel footsie pajamas as a child.She put on music.I started to
feel I was in a silent movie telling a dramatic tale with my body and face, but
mostly my body.I felt free to
choreograph, which felt new to me and fun.

On Valentine’s Day, I had
found a posting on craigslist for a one-time gig.An hour at most.A female artist needing a clothed female
model to photograph for reference shots.Her process would be videotaped for possible inclusion in a show in
March.The payment was fair.I applied with photos and a description.She got back to me with a link to her site
and wrote that she’d love to work with me.She needed natural light which meant a daytime meeting.We set a time for Saturday, she gave me good
travel directions to her part of Brooklyn, and she included her number if
needed.I’m usually convinced that on
craigslist, like anywhere, more folks are not murderers than are.(Sex offenders – that’s another story.)

In about a half hour,
we were done.I had crawled, rolled,
writhed, and really stretched.She had
taken between 500 and 700 shots.I had a
unique and somewhat therapeutic experience, a combination of dramatic acting and re-visitingtoddlerhood.She seemed
very pleased with the shots.That
matters to me.It never feels good to me
if I don’t feel that I did a good job.She
handed me the payment for an hour’s work.I now was able to put money on my metrocard, and I will get to payday.

Leah Yerpe is having a solo
show at Le Poisson Rouge in the Village on March 6th.Drawings of me won’t be in this show as the
work has already been selected.I’d be
honored if drawings of me are in a future show. I like looking at her work.I like the whole idea.For those intrigued, below are her words and
a sample of the work that will be exhibited.

an exhibition by

leah yerpe

The Gallery at LPR, on March 6th 6:30 - 9:30pm. This solo exhibition features
12 new artworks, including 5 new pieces never previously exhibited.

Stellify means to transform or be
transformed into a star or constellation. Creation myths of nearly every
ancient civilization include stories of humans transformed into constellations.
My favorites are those in which a god, noticing one of our ancient ancestors fleeing
some terrible danger, takes pity and saves them by placing among the stars.
There is something simultaneously beautiful and terrifying about this concept.
Much of my recent work was developed with these stories in mind.

There will be refreshments and an
open bar serving alcohol, so we ask that guests be 21+.

The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge is located at 158 Bleecker
Street, New York, NY 10012

Sometimes, not only is the person not a
murderer, but they are actually who they say they are.And a collaboration of sorts can take place.

5
comments:

Sounds like a good experience all around. I believe most people are decent. All the social media, however, permit accessing dark sides. It all seems anonymous and free, and so "why not?". Guess ya gotta keep your radar operating and your guard up entering these zones.

I like Leah's picture you posted. I wonder if she'll compose something like that out of your photo session?

A lovely, subtle transformation: the freedom of an artist for the price of more than one subway ride, channeling Nijinsky AND Isadora Duncan -- at once -- turned (turn) to a lump of clay, feet in your pajamas, a toddler ... Set in motion by chance, surprise has no end.